FARMERS & CONSUMERS Tommy /rv/n, Commissioner Georgia Deparfmenf of Agricu/fure Market Bulletin Volume 63 FOR SUBSCRIPTION AND ADVERTISEMENT INFORMATION SEE PAGE 2 Wednesday, July 20, 1977 Number 29 TOHCHCJJ Better Tobacco From More Acres Georgia Tobacco Farmers need more flexibility in their production capabilities if they are to hold poor quality lugs and primings off the market and produce the better quality tobacco desired by American and foreign markets. I am more convinced of this than ever before following my annual tour of opening markets this past week. Tobacco farmers grow and market under two allotments, an acreage allotment and a poundage allotment. Under the present acreage allotment farmers have to harvest the lower stock tobacco known as primings and lugs to meet their poundage quotas. This type tobacco doesn't bring too good a price and hurts the farmer's overall acreage price for the season. It is this tobacco also that winds up in the commodity loan program and makes up most of the 600 million pounds which the government is holding. There is little demand for it and it presents a marketing problem. It is my thinking that USDA should make acreage allotments more flexible and allow farmers to plant enough acreage to meet their foundage quotas by harvesting only middle and upper stalk tobacco. During my tour this past week I (Continued On Page 8) Promotion Day Honors Cotton Cotton Promotion Day will be held July 23rd in Dooly County at the Dooly County Campground, three miles north of Vienna starting at 9:30 AM. The eleventh annual event will be highlighted by featured speaker Senator Sam Nunn and brief messages from Tommy Irvin, Commissioner of Agriculture; Henry Garren, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Emmett Reynolds, President of the Georgia Farm Bureau. Activities during the day include country music entertainment, a display of cotton production and harvesting equipment, cotton fashion show and the crowning of the 1977 Cotton Queen. A complimentary barbeque lunch will be served to all who register and attend Cotton Promotion Day. 4-H Scholarships Thirteen youngsters won college scholarships totaling more than $3,000 for their leadership and interest in 4-H Club work. Winners are: Scott Shamp, Conyers, Tanga Studstill, Lanier, Anna Laura Mayo, Richland, Sara Collins, Lexington, Mike Perry, Athens, Sarah Williams, Alamo, Sharon Smith, Toccoa. Helen Starks, Evans, Carol Ann Taylor, Clarkesville, Frank Carter, Lakeland, and Valerie Denise White, Fort Valley, Arthur Crouch, Byron, and Ginger Jones, Chula. Good Horsemanship Increases Enjoyment for you and Horse Good horsemanship makes good sense. By following a few guidelines, you can train and manage your horse easier, make him a more content animal, and increase your enjoyment of owning and riding a horse. Horses should be approached from the left. Never walk or stand behind a horse unannounced; let him know that you are there by speaking to him and placing your hand on him. Otherwise you may get kicked. Pet a horse by first placing your hand on his shoulder or neck. Do not dab at the end of his nose. Grasp the reins close to the bit on the left side when leading a horse. Walk the horse to and from the stable. This prevents him from running home and refusing to leave the stable. Be sure that his saddle blanket or pad is clean and free of dried sweat, hair, caked dirt or any rough places, any of which will cause a sore back. Mount and dismount from the left side. Make the horse stand until the rider is properly seated in the saddle or has dismounted. Retain the proper tension on the reins. Avoid either tight or dangling reins. Keep your hands and voice quiet when handling horses. Avoid "clucking," loud laughing or screaming (never scream - no matter how excited or frightened you may be; it will only make matters worse). Never slap a horse with the ends of the reins. All of these are unnecessary and in poor taste. Warm up the horse gradually. Walk him first, then jog him slowly. Keep to the right side of the road except when passing and never allow your horse to wander all over the road. Give right of way courteously. Walk horses across bridges, through underpasses and over pavements and slippery roads. Slow down when making a sharp turn. Walk the horse when going up or down hill. Running may injure his legs and wind. Do not race horses. When so handled, they form bad habits and may get out of control. Keep the horse moving when a car passes. If you stop, he may act up or back into the passing vehicle. Anticipate such distractions as cars, stones, paper, trees, bridges, (Continued On Page 8) Blossom End Rot Ruins Tomatoes Blossom end rot, a physiological disease whose basic cause is lack of adequate soil moisture, is costly to many tomato growers and disappointing to home gardeners. The first symptom of rot is a slight water soaked area near the blossom end of the fruit. The lesion soon darkens and enlarges in a constantly widening circle until the fruit begins to ripen. To control blossom end rot, regulate the moisture supply in the soil. Mulching, which serves to maintain an even level of soil moisture should be used. Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin discusses tobacco marketing farmers on the warehouse sales floor in the center photo and heads the problems with Asst. Secretary of Agriculture Bob Meyer at left, visits with auction line checking tobacco quality and grade in the picture at right. Page 2